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Ministry of Commerce & Industry
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Intellectual Property Rights Policy Management framework covers 8 types of intellectual property rights
National IPR Policy 2016 encompasses all IPRs into a single vision document setting in place an institutional mechanism for implementation, monitoring and review of IP laws
There are following types of intellectual property rights covered under Intellectual Property Rights Policy Management  framework:  Patents,  Trade mark,  Industrial Designs, Copyrights,  Geographical Indications,  Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Layout Design,  Trade Secret, and  Plant Varieties.
The framework was launched in the form of National IPR Policy 2016 encompassing all IPRs into a single vision document setting in place an institutional mechanism for implementation, monitoring and review of IP laws. The policy has seven objectives designed for creating an environment that encourages innovation and creativity by providing stronger protection and incentives for inventors, artists, and creators. There are several measures undertaken to achieve the given objectives. Among measures taken are compliance and timeline reduction in IP ﬁling and disposal, fee rebate for Startups, MSMES, Educational Institutions and expedited examination for certain categories of applicants. The details on objectives and activities undertaken since adoption of the policy is given below:
Details on objectives and activities undertaken under the National IPR Policy
- Appropriate amendment in IPR Laws and Rules - improving procedural requirements in processing of applications to speed up grant and disposal.
- Modernisation & Digitisation of IP oﬃces - improvement in functioning and performance of IP Offices as well as streamlining workflow processes.
- Scheme for Facilitating Start-Ups Intellectual Property Protection  to encourage filling of Patent applications by Startups.
- Reduction in ﬁling Fees for Start-ups, MSMEs, and educational Institutes to encourage Patent filling.
- Expedited Examination for certain category of applicants, such as Start-ups, small entities, women inventors for expeditious grant of Patents.
- Awareness initiatives and Programs for stakeholders with an intent to inculcate importance of protecting their IPR at an early stage in the business development cycle.
- National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission , a ﬂagship program to impart IP awareness and basic training in educational institutes.
- National Intellectual Property  Awards are conferred every year to recognize and reward the top achievers comprising individuals, institutions, organizations and enterprises, for their IP creations and commercialization.
- Patent Facilitation Programme has been revamped to scout patentable inventions and provide full ﬁnancial, technical and legal support in ﬁling and obtaining patents.
- Expand Knowledge Capacity & Skill Building: To promote the study, research, and development of IPR in higher educational institutions, IPR chairs have been set up across the country under the Scheme for Pedagogy & Research in IPRs for Holistic Education and Academia . Currently, 37 IPR Chairs are incorporated. These Chairs have facilitated 146 Patent ﬁlings and 424 Patents registered, 215 IP works published, 1373 total IP Programs conducted, 238 Pedagogy activities undertaken during 2020-21 and 2022-23.
- Commercialization of IP: Technology Innovation Support Centres  have been set us in various Central and State Universities and State Council for Science & Technology across the country for supporting IPR education, boosting IP ﬁlings and enhancing IP commercialization. Since 2020, 12 established TISCs have ﬁled 734 patents, conducted 1752 IP awareness programs, and commercialized 99 patents. Additionally, 901 applications for trademarks, designs and copyright were also ﬁled. The network has been further expanded with 22 new TISCs across 20 states in the country. Technology Transfer Organizations  & Incubators are also working in around 150 research institutions and more than 1000 Universities for commercializing IP.
These right areas are governed through respective Acts and Rules framed thereunder. The details of legal and regulatory considerations are given are below:
Details of legal and regulatory considerations for different IP areas.
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Right Area
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Legal provision
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Subject
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Term of Protection
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Patent
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Patent Act, 1970
& Patent Rules, 2003 amended in
2014, 2016, 2017,
2019, 2020 and
2021.
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Must qualify requirements
of being novel, Inventive and having industrial utility
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20 years
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Trademarks
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Trademark Act
1999 &
Trademark Rules 2017
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Protects brand name,
logo, design for a business or commercial enterprise
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10 years ; renewed
for 10 years on payment of additional fees
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Designs
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Designs Act 2000
& Designs  Rules 2021
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New or original designs
 which can be replicated industrially
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10 + 5 years
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Copyrights
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Copyrights Act 1957 &
Copyrights Rules 2013 amended in
2021.
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Creative, artistic, literary,
Musical and audio-visual works
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Authors -Lifetime+
60 years;
Producers – 60 years
Performers – 50 years;
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Geographical Indications
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Geographical Indications Act
1999 & GI Rules 2002 amended in
2020.
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Goods bearing unique
characteristics due to
geographical linkage - agricultural goods, natural goods, manufactured goods, handicrafts and foodstuff
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10 years, Renewed
for 10 years on
payment of additional fees
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Semiconductor
Integrated Circuits Layout Design
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Semiconductor
Integrated Circuits Layout Design Act 2000 & Rules
2001
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A layout of transistors and
other circuitry elements including lead wires connecting such elements and expressed in any manner in semiconductor integrated circuits.
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10 Years.
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Trade Secret
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Common Law
approach covered through IPC, Contract Act, IP Act and Copyright
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Conﬁdential information
having commercial value
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Till the time
conﬁdentiality is safeguarded.
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Plant Varieties
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Protection of Plant
Varieties and Farmers Rights Act , 2001
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Traditional varieties and
landraces, all developed varieties  in trade/use for older than 1 year and not older than
15 years or 18 years , and new plant varieties.
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6-10 years.
This information has been provided by the Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Shri Som Parkash in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.